Sweet and tangy orange sauce is delicious in stir fry! It is easy to make at home, and perfect for bringing dishes like orange chicken and tofu with orange sauce to life in your own kitchen.

a spoon taking a dip of orange sauce for orange tofu or orange chicken

Orange chicken was one of my favorite things to order takeout growing up.

This recipe is inspired by the taste of something that you would buy at your favorite Chinese restaurant.

I have since stopped eating chicken, but that doesn’t mean that I have stopped craving that same tangy sweet sauce that just makes everything taste so yummy!

This recipe is what I used to make orange tofu, and vegan orange chicken (orange cauliflower) and it also makes a great sauce for veggie stir fry served over sticky white rice!

It is really so easy to make it yourself at home, and the flavor is amazing.

I tested this recipe four times until the flavor was perfect.

The end result is a flavorful, easy recipe that takes just 15 minutes to make!

What is orange sauce made of?

Homemade orange sauce is heavenly!

This sweet sauce is made of orange juice, brown sugar, pure maple syrup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.

How to make orange sauce

First, you will start with fresh minced ginger and garlic.

Not much, as we want the orange flavor to be the star of this sauce!

In a sauce pan, add 1 teaspoon of neutral flavored oil.

Cook the minced garlic and ginger for around 2 – 3 minutes, until fragrant.

Next, add the orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.

Heat for 3 minutes.

In a small bowl, make a slurry from 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water.

What is a cornstarch slurry?

A cornstarch slurry is simply a mixture of cold water and cornstarch which is often used as a thickening agent in asian inspired sauces.

Add the slurry to the sauce, and whisk for 5 minutes, until thickened.

Your sauce is now ready to serve!

orange tofu in a white bowl with sesame seeds and green onions

I can’t be the only one obsessed with orange sauce on rice!

Honestly, that might be my favorite part of finishing my plate.

This dish is perfect for veggie stir fry, orange chicken, tofu with orange sauce, or crispy orange cauliflower.

Try making this at home and let me know what you think!

Is this recipe spicy?

No, it is not spicy. If you want a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes to taste.

I suggest starting with 1/8 teaspoon and going from there.

Is this orange sauce gluten free?

Yes it is! As long as you use gluten free soy sauce, all other ingredients are gluten free.

More Stir Fry Recipes we love

spoon inside a mason jar of orange sauce

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Yield: 1 batch

Orange Sauce Recipe

Name: Orange Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 1/3 cup water; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger; 1 teaspoon olive oil or other neutral oil; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 cup water

This easy orange sauce is simple to make and tastes delicious!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 17 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
1 teaspoon olive oil or other neutral oil

For the Cornstarch Slurry

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Instructions

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil or other neutral flavored oil in a sauce pan
Add the minced garlic and minced ginger and cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until fragrant. Stir often to avoid burning
Add 1/3 cup water, orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce and heat for 3 minutes, stirring often
In a small bowl, whisk the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water to form the slurry
Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and whisk to thicken, around 3 - 5 minutes
Add orange sauce to your orange chicken, orange tofu, orange cauliflower, or use as sauce for stir fry veggies!

Notes

To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 883mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 0gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g

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Tammy

Wednesday 17th of March 2021

Can the soy sauce be substituted I can’t have sodium.

Melissa Brown

Saturday 9th of January 2021

How about a twist, use orange marmalade, soy sauce, pepper flakes and maybe a little brown sugar and of course ginger and garlic always make things better. The sauce is already thick because of the pectin and the orange flavor is more intense. If not add orange peel not juice.

roger walker

Monday 21st of December 2020

Hi Joy, Can this be stored in refrigerator for a few days?

Sunday 17th of January 2021

@Joy Shull, TY

Joy Shull

Tuesday 29th of December 2020

Hi Roger,

This should keep a week or two in the fridge!

Steffi

Sunday 22nd of November 2020

So good! I used probably 2 tablespoon of powdered ginger as I didnt have any fresh and it still turned out amazing. Excited to use fresh next time.

Ariel

Friday 21st of August 2020

Absolutely delicious!! Saving this to my "favorites" board on Pinterest. Thank you!!!